Antwan Jones, Armed Carjacking, Missouri 2020

ST. LOUIS – Antwan Jones has admitted his part in a violent carjacking that unfolded in St. Louis nearly three years ago. Jones pleaded guilty before United States District Court Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk on November 22, 2021, to charges stemming from the January 15, 2020, theft and a subsequent assault on law enforcement.

The brazen heist began when Paul Latham pulled alongside a victim in an SUV. Latham remained in the vehicle while Jones, armed with a firearm, approached the victim and demanded her purse. The victim complied, handing over her bag containing the keys to her Mercedes Benz. Jones and Latham then used the key fob to locate and steal the victim’s vehicle, fleeing the scene in both the SUV and the stolen Mercedes.

Federal authorities quickly zeroed in on Jones and Latham. An indictment handed down in May 2021 revealed Jones was already a prohibited person – barred from possessing a firearm due to a prior conviction. The duo’s attempt to cover their tracks proved futile. Later that night, police traced the victim’s phone to East St. Louis, Illinois, where Latham’s SUV was discovered abandoned in the 1800 block of Boismenue Avenue, the victim’s purse still inside.

But the story didn’t end there. When federal agents moved to arrest Jones, he didn’t cooperate. Instead, he resisted arrest and physically assaulted a federal officer, adding another serious charge to his mounting legal woes. This escalation of violence underscored the dangerous nature of the initial carjacking.

Latham had already entered a guilty plea in October, presumably as part of a deal to cooperate with investigators. The full extent of his testimony against Jones remains sealed, but it clearly contributed to securing the guilty plea. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department jointly investigated the case, piecing together the evidence that led to the convictions.

Sentencing for Jones has yet to be scheduled. He now faces significant federal prison time for his role in the carjacking, the weapons violation stemming from his prior conviction, and the assault on a federal officer. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing when it is announced. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the violent crime plaguing the region and the dedication of law enforcement to bringing perpetrators to justice.

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